UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has appointed Kimberly A. Panko as the next president of the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing (SECON) in Utica, effective June 6. Panko succeeds Varinya Sheppard, who is retiring on June 1 after a 40-year nursing career that included serving as president of the college and multiple […]
UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has appointed Kimberly A. Panko as the next president of the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing (SECON) in Utica, effective June 6.
Panko succeeds Varinya Sheppard, who is retiring on June 1 after a 40-year nursing career that included serving as president of the college and multiple nursing roles including chief nursing officer at St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
“In its nearly 118-year history, SECON has graduated thousands of nurses who have gone on to take care of the people of this community,” MVHS President and CEO Darlene Stromstad, said in a release. “Building upon its long legacy, we look to SECON and Dr. Panko to help take us into the future as we educate the nurses of tomorrow and open our new, state-of-the-art Wynn Hospital next year.”
“The role of president of SECON is vital to ensuring this region has access to strong nursing,” she continued. “Dr. Panko will be an integral leader in our recovery from the pandemic and our ability to deal with workforce shortages. Educating the next generation of nurses is critical to our success, and we are so lucky to have such a well-established and respected college as part of our system. Dr. Panko is the best person to take over the reins and move us into the future of healthcare in our community.”
Currently serving as director of nursing, medical surgical, and acute-inpatient rehabilitative services at MVHS, Panko’s career at MVHS began in 2001. She previously served as dean of students and faculty development and as nursing instructor/course coordinator. She has more than 28 years of experience in various nursing positions.
“My entire career has been spent providing care to this community, so to be able to take on the role of president of SECON at this juncture is exhilarating,” Panko said. “There are so many new and exciting things happening at MVHS and in our community, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to contribute to the excitement through my work at the college. Our students are the future of healthcare in this community, and I am thrilled to prepare them for this wonderful profession.”
Panko earned her doctorate degree in nursing practice, systems leadership from Chamberlain College of Nursing in Downers Grove, Illinois; master’s in nursing and administration from Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska; bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNY Polytechnic Institute; and her associate degree in nursing from Northern Maine Technical College in Presque Isle, Maine.
Founded in 1904, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing offers multiple curriculum plans including weekday programs, an evening/weekend program, and a dual-degree program with SUNY Polytechnic Institute that allows students to earn two degrees in four years.